New VW Build

C

chromedome1964

Joined
Mar 28, 2009
Messages
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Location
Vale, NC USA
I started my build today, made some really good progress. I'm doing a one-off, sort of a cross between a Phoenix Trike Works and a CCTrikes.

The power comes from a stock '69 VW engine that I got from member ROJO and I'm using a GSXR rear wheel for the front on square tubing forks.

I've restored several cars in the past, but this is my first trike build.
 
Looks great, I have one here for me that I am building just like yours, I have a 75 degre rake and using a girder to get the main rake back to 60 degrees to get the trail right but it is longggg and will be interesting to get it done, have fun with your build.
VW
 
Made a bit more progress today. I worked on the triple trees and forks. Lots of figuring. My brain hurts. Luckily, we had a cool day so spending half the day playing with the cutting torch wasn't so bad.
 
I don't have a bender. There's a race car shop about 10 miles down the road and he did the six bends I needed for the frame for $15. I told him what I needed, and he bent them up in about 15 minutes.
 
In Australia I believe that rake would not be possible due to the Australian design rules. They have a measuement system from steering head vertical to the ground then a measurement from that point to the axle point.

But good luck with the build.
 
Nice start!
what material are you using? Your frame looks like oneton's design. Solid and proven :)

I've pondered a built LL myself thinking I'll use 1 1/2 DOM but square tubing sure looks easier.
 
The frame is 1-1/2" 11ga. ERW tubing, for those that don't know, it's what DOM tubing is before it's drawn over the mandrel. You can see the seam on the inside really well and it's visible on the outside, but you can't feel it. It's a cheaper than DOM and plenty strong enough.

The forks are 2" sq. 1/4" thick. It's way more than needed, but I wanted something heavy to help keep the front down. And yes, the square tubing is a bit easier to make work. When I get a bit farther along I will post more pics of what I'm doing with the front end. The triple trees are 1/2" flat plate and I will be building rockers out of 1/2" plate also.

Thanks for the gracious comments!
 
More progress this weekend and last. I ditched the idea of building my own rear suspension, mainly due to the time involved. So VW suspension it is. I cut the rear of my frame off about a foot and just pushed the VW clip inside it and after half a day of measuring, welded it in.

While I love the looks of the Phoenix Trike Works stuff, I don't like the fact that they mount their drivetrains tipped forward at an extreme angle. I made sure that the engine mounting face of the transaxle was perpendicular to the ground before I welded everything up.

Like I said, I've never built a trike before and it has been a real learning experience. There are so many things to consider in getting the rake and trail correct. For example I'm using a set of 14" rims and tires to roll the thing around on, but will be using 18" or larger once it's finished. This will lift the back of the trike which will decrease the trail. So that means resetting the rear suspension. I also had to compensate for my weight when adjusting the front suspension.



I built 10 degrees of rake into the fork assembly by running the square tubing at a different angle from the steering neck. It is not adjustable, so any adjustments are done by varying the length and angle of the front rockers and shocks. Angles angles and more angles. I had no idea what I was getting into!

For those contemplating building your own, check out TrikerDon's site at Triker Helping Trikers It has been an invaluable resource.

I'll get some pics posted this evening.
 
A couple more images. I've since bolted on the handlebars. Now I'm waiting to get the rockers laser cut. I wound up with a 13' wheelbase. It's low and long!



 
More progress. Got the pedals in.





The machine shop wanted too much to cut my rockers out, so I torched them. Took a ton of grinding, but they look OK.
Hopefully they will look better with a touch of bondo and some paint.



I tried a set of shocks off a Kawasaki 400, but they were way too light. A set from a Harley
worked great.

All in all, it's coming together pretty well.



 
Not much progress this week. Went to change brake linings and wheel cylinders, took 4 hours to get the two axle nuts loose. I had soaked them down with penetrating oil for three days before attempting to get them loose, threw the impact wrench to the first one and nothing. Wouldn't budge. So I broke out the torch and heated it up nice and cherry red. No joy. Next came the big punch and 2lb hammer. After an hour of beating, I tried the impact again, and it finally broke loose. Was the same with the other side.

Changed out the wheel cylinders and went to put the shoes on.

No joy. Had the right number on the box but had the wrong parts inside. Trip back to the parts house, took two days to get new shoes.

Next I went on to the engine. It was filthy and needed a good cleaning, so I started stripping it down. Went fine til I got down to the cooling tins. Every screw on it required a hammer powered impact driver to remove. Two hours just to remove the tins!

Have one exhaust stud broken off flush with the head, drilled it out and tried an EZ-out, broke off flush in the hole. :AGGHH: I'm stuck on that one. Any ideas guys???:Shrug:

I'm building my own shifter from scratch, almost finished with that.

Will get pics this weekend.
 
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